This is where rugby football was indeed invented, and past pupils include (as well as Thomas Hughes, the book’s author) Lewis Carroll, poet Rupert Brooke and actor Anthony Quayle.

There’s a museum at 10 Little Church Street, Rugby, and tours of the historic school.

The coaching tavern is the George Inn, tucked away in a cobbled courtyard at 77 Borough High Street, Southwark, SE1. Rebuilt in 1671, A real treasure, a warren of wood-beamed bars, it’s London’s last remaining galleried inn, though sadly, only one of the three original sides of its courtyard remains. This part is safe – it's now a National Trust property.

The George was a favourite of Charles Dickens (who mentions it in Little Dorrit and – supposedly – a haunt of William Shakespeare.